Citrullus colocynthis
Bitter Apple, Bitter Cucumber
Other regional names: Colocynth
- Colocynth
Also known as: Citrullus colocynthis subsp. insipidus (Pangalo) Fursa +18 more
- Citrullus colocynthis subsp. insipidus (Pangalo) Fursa
- Citrullus colocynthis subsp. stenotomus (Pangalo) Fursa
- Citrullus colocynthis var. bipinnatifidus Alef.
- Citrullus colocynthis var. indicus Alef.
- Citrullus colocynthis var. insipidus Pangalo
- Citrullus colocynthis var. officinalis Alef.
- Citrullus colocynthis var. stenotomus Pangalo
- Citrullus colocynthis var. wenderothii Alef.
- Citrullus colocynthoides Pangalo
- Citrullus dimidiens Gand.
- Citrullus nubica Gand.
- Citrullus pseudocolocynthis (Wender.) M.Roem.
- Colocynthis officinalis Schrad.
- Colocynthis officinarum Cogn.
- Colocynthis vulgaris Schrad.
- Cucumis bipinnatifidus Wight ex Naudin
- Cucumis colocynthis (L.) Thunb.
- Cucumis colocynthis L.
- Cucumis colocynthoides Pi.Savi
Botanical Data
- Taxonomic Rank: Species
- Botanical Family: Cucurbitaceae
- WCVP Morphological Data: Recorded natively as a perennial or subshrub.
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Indigenous to Africa, Temperate Asia, Tropical Asia, and Europe, Citrullus colocynthis (commonly known as Bitter Apple or Bitter Cucumber) is a herbaceous perennial or shrub belonging to the Cucurbitaceae family. Within its native range, this species is primarily associated with subtropical conditions.
Macro Climate
Subtropical
Plant Type
Unclassified
Native Range
Continents (WGSRPD)
AFRICA, ASIA-TEMPERATE, ASIA-TROPICAL, EUROPE
Regions (WGSRPD)
Arabian Peninsula, East Tropical Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Indo-China, Macaronesia, Middle Asia, Northeast Tropical Africa, Northern Africa, Southeastern Europe, Southwestern Europe, West Tropical Africa, Western Asia
Botanical Countries (WGSRPD L3)
Afghanistan, Algeria, Assam, Bangladesh, Benin, Burkina, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Chad, Cyprus, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Greece, Gulf States, India, Iran, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Myanmar, Niger, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sicilia, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, West Himalaya, Western Sahara, Yemen
Introduced Range
Plants flagged as 'Introduced' have been transported outside their native historical range by human activity. While many are common ornamentals, some may become naturalized or invasive in local environments. Local ecological guidelines require verification prior to planting.
Botanical Countries (Non-Native)
Alabama, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Bulgaria, California, Corse, East Aegean Is., Germany, Hungary, Italy, Massachusetts, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Paraguay, Primorye, Queensland, Romania, South Australia, Texas, Transcaucasus, Uzbekistan, Victoria, Western Australia